Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| lavoro | /laˈvo.ro/ | masculine |
| impiego | /imˈpjɛ.ɡo/ /imˈpje.ɡo/ |
masculine |
| occupazione | /ok.ku.patˈt͡sjo.ne/ | feminine |
The term 'work' in English can refer to labour, employment, occupation or a job and Italian uses different words depending on the specific nuance. lavoro is the most common and general term for work or a job. The phrase al lavoro is used to indicate that someone is currently at their place of employment or performing work tasks.
Which one should you use?
While lavoro is the general term for work or a job, other forms are more specific. impiego refers specifically to employment or a position within a company. occupazione is used to refer to one's occupation or the state of being employed, often in statistical or formal contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
impiego and occupazione are more formal and are typically used in administrative or official contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In Italian, lavoro and impiego are masculine nouns, while occupazione is a feminine noun. If you want to refer to a person who works (a worker), use the noun lavoratore.
How do you pronounce it?
laˈvo.ro (3 syllables, stress on the 2nd syllable)
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to confuse the noun and the verb. English speakers often mistakenly use the noun lavoro when they actually intend to use the verb lavorare (to work).
Did you know?
- The word lavoro shares a root with the English word 'elaborate', which comes from the Latin labor meaning 'hard work' or 'toil'.
- Italian uses the word occupazione for 'occupation', but in a different context, occupazione refers to the military or political seizure of a territory.
- In Italy, the concept of lavoro is often contrasted with tempo libero, but the phrase lavoro per passione describes a job done for love rather than money.
Examples in context
- Tom è al lavoro.Tom is at work.This sentence shows how to use lavoro to say someone is at their place of employment.Tatoeba #2618289 by Guybrush88, translation #680275 by Source_VOA
- Lei è al lavoro?Are you at work?This sentence uses lavoro to ask if someone is currently at work.Tatoeba #4401111 by Guybrush88, translation #4401103 by CK
- Lei è al lavoro.You are at work.This sentence uses lavoro to state that someone is currently at work.Tatoeba #7785112 by Guybrush88, translation #7785092 by sharris123
- Mi piace il mio lavoro come insegnante.I like my job as a teacher.
- La sua occupazione è avvocato.His occupation is lawyer.
- Sto cercando una professione più gratificante.I'm looking for a more fulfilling profession.
- Ho molti doveri da svolgere domani.I have many tasks to do tomorrow.
- Oggi ho molto lavoro da fare.Today I have a lot of work to do.
- Ha un nuovo impiego.He has a new job.
- Suo padre ha un mestiere molto interessante.His father has a very interesting trade.
- Sto facendo alcuni lavoricchi in giardino.I'm doing some small tasks in the garden.
- 2318 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Matteo are talking about their professional lives.
- MartinaChe lavoro fai, Matteo?What work do you do, Matteo?
- MatteoFaccio il cuoco. E tu?I am a cook. And you?
- MartinaIl mio lavoro è molto stressante.My work is very stressful.
- MatteoMi dispiace sentirlo, Martina.I am sorry to hear that, Martina.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “work” translations and entries lavoro, impiego, occupazione, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries impiego, lavoro, occupazione, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
